Royal Marine Reacts To Paratroopers Static Line Jump From C-17

[@matthewverbos6272]

I was a paratrooper, when you hit another person’s canopy you can sort of run off of it. If you get tangled in suspension lines you are supposed to try to get out or climb to the other trooper. It’s all really fast though. In 4 years of jumping on Ft Bragg there was never a parachute failure on a jump I was on.

[@johncollins6755]

...fellow 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg...brother in arms........

[@jessesheehan225]

Hooah! Fayettnam ft. Bragg

[@gdheib0430]

You forgot the incessant screaming, "YOU SLIP AWAY YOU PIECE OF...." Good times but never jumped the T-11s...was always a T-10C or Dash 1 kind of guy.

[@TOMAS-lh4er]

When the Russians first attacked that airport in Ukraine, Two of their huge transports full of paratroopers, like the ones in the picture of UIS paratroopers, were shot down by Ukraine soldiers as they were trying to drop troops, there was a phone video of one as it nose-dived into the ground , full of troops !!!

[@PatrickMcCormick-xc1mx]

My father was at ft Bragg. I grew up there and later was roommates with the sgt mager who was in charge of the jump tower from Vietnam all the way to dessert storm. I miss that old guy and his stories.

[@dfulton42]

i served in the USAF and i was a parachute rigger for these guys. the fact that you said you were impressed with 100% success of parachutes makes me proud. that was my job.

[@AngeloPoulos-c2t]

I thought the army has its own riggers

[@dfulton42]

@user-ej8ew2ib9n they do, I heard rumors about the Army riggers. Basically they run up and down the table all day. We walked lol 😆

[@thomasvilla6109]

Thank you!

[@Aperazzo_Salsa_Pics]

Also, it's difficult to explain you loose 5% of the para's every training jump, right?

[@dfulton42]

@@Aperazzo_Salsa_Pics no

[@docstew75]

I was part of this operation, although I didn't actually get out of the aircraft. This was part of a "Joint Operational Access Demonstration" that was being done for All-American Week at (then) Ft Bragg, NC. It wasn't just 4 C-17s, there were 11 of them IIRC, and at least a few C-130s as well. The overall planned drop was around 1500 paratroopers in one pass. To answer your questions: yes, the T-11 parachute does fail sometimes, which is why we have reserve chutes (the big red handle on our front is for the reserve); the failure rate is somewhat dependent on that jumper's actual actions (a more technically correct exit from the aircraft yields better results) but by this point in time, there had been approximately 250k jumps made with the T-11 with the number of deaths at most in the teens. I've got 61 jumps of my own (with a fair number of, shall we say, exciting rides), and I've personally watched probably around 10-15k jumpers over my 20 years in the Army. I can count the number of times a jumper had to deploy a reserve on both hands. The jumpers look close together, but that is a trick of the camera. Unless two jumpers exit from both sides at the exact same time, the chance of hitting another jumper is low. There's usually about a 50-100 foot separation between jumpers (within shouting distance). If you do hit another jumper or their parachute, you try to bounce off of them the best you can. If you get entangled, the higher jumper moves down to be even with the lower jumper and they're gonna finish that jump and landing together. The T-11 parachute is rated up to 800 pounds of suspended weight, so one chute can easily lower 2 jumpers if needed.

[@middlelb21]

The injury ratio with the T-10D was roughly 9/1000 jumps, and with the T-11 it is roughly 5/1000 jumps. Most injuries are due to the ground (so, landing poorly or surface, obstacle, etc) but as you said, it's not often due to the parachute that a failure may occur. How you jump, flight speed, the jumpmasters, etc. When the guys in my unit who jumped into Panama talked about their 400 ft jump, they didn't even take a reserve - they brought a claymore.

[@montyhinton4971]

Thanks for the insights. The first and last jump for me the chute twisted. I never complained again about the repetitive training in the military for a supposed situation or jumped again

[@jeffro221]

@@montyhinton4971Was that in the Army? Did you move to another military occupation?

[@MikeHunt-c5p]

I was already on the ground looking up at the second pas. Someone hit an up draft and stayed in place at least 10 seconds

[@TheRealItschowda]

50-100 seems a bit too close. I couldn't find the airspeed of the C-17 when you psychopaths (using it lovingly :) ) jump out. Using a generously low speed of 200 knots equates to about 337 feet per second. The shortest time between jumpers seemed to be about 3/4th of a second so my guess would be probably around double that spacing distance. Whatever the case is, I'm glad you guys and girls are safe when protecting freedom. I'll just enjoy the show from my nice and safe ground :)

[@sabacat]

My dad was in the 82nd('50s). He passed in 2013, and when he was actively dying, this is what he was 'seeing'... the aircraft, the equipment, and old Airborne friends. ❤

[@corycollier]

My grandfather was 82nd (WWII).

[@kathybost1879]

my dad also in WW2- he of course has passed, and only talked to my brother about anything from the war. I do know that he entered one of the smaller con. camps (started with a B)

[@1944Jakob]

Bet your dad jumped the same aircraft as I did....The C119 flying boxcar

[@soarabove337]

To your Pops, I'd merely like to sound off with a Loud + Thunderous: AIRBORNE!

[@daveperala4723]

I was in the US Navy when PR's, Parachute Riggers, still had to pack a chute from scratch and then jump it. My first jump was the morning after a heavy snowstorm. The air was crystal clear and freezing cold. We jumped our stick based on the size of the jumper. As I was the biggest man, I went first. I won't deny it, when I was standing in the door, I froze. Was no way I was going to leave that airplane. Our Jumpmaster at the time was a Marine Gunny Sargent, he told me that it was OK, just let go of the door and step back. Me being a trusting young 18 year old and innocent young man, did as I was told. No sooner had I let go of the door that grizzled old Veteran kicked me square in the ass and out the door. Next thing I knew I was under the canopy and drifting on the breeze. I was swearing at the Gunny the whole time. I missed the DZ by about 500 feet and landed in a 6 foot snowdrift. We did not have steerable canopies and I totally forgot about pulling on the risers to steer. I spent the next few years jumping both static and freefall chutes. I even got to do a HALO jump with a group of NAVY SEALS in training once.

[@karlbuckles7192]

That needed a "Love" button! I was an AMS so of course the PR's were in the same division. I remember watching them pack the chutes for the seats. That was crazy! But I had mad respect for them knowing the responsibility they held. Yeah, If I screwed up a repair it could lead to loss of the aircraft but an AME or PR could cost a life. Thanks for serving Brother!

[@bluenetmarketing]

dave - You're a good writer. Consider some longer works.

[@mendodsoregonbackroads6632]

What Navy units do jumps besides the SEALs or an unfortunate Aircrew that has to exit the plane?

[@daveperala4723]

The Navy had a group called the "Shooting Stars" back in the day. Similar to the Army's "Golden Knights". Also, PR's used to have to jump a rig they packed. Gave them confidence. This was back in the 70's.

[@57menjr]

😃

[@Nick-zz6xl]

I used to be one of the guys that packed those parachutes. Everything is done by the numbers with an inspection point at multiple stages in the packing process. The jumpers take all their parachutes with them, They carry a large kit bag folded up that the chute fits in. They walk off the drop zone with it. They wouldn`t do this in an actual invasion jump, of course. The reserve parachute is the small kit on front above the " ruck sack " hanging in front of the legs. In an invasion they may forego that to carry a little extra equipment given that the jump will be done too low for the reserve to open if the main fails. Cheers!

[@devinhedge]

God Bless the Riggers! Thank you!

[@Therabbitmaze-v2j]

Are the kit bags from Walmart? If you buy a tent you will never get it to fit in the original container again! The manufacturer must have a machine that folds it under 10k of pressure.

[@gdheib0430]

Had to return a chute once...was back when the coke epidemic was running through the Bragg Riggers...someone signed their packing log as Mickey Mouse...was like no thank you.

[@YELLTELL]

BALLS

[@Nick-zz6xl]

@@gdheib0430 Maybe...All I can say was that story was going around when I was in back in the 90`s. You`d think they would have thought of a different name by now.

[@kurthafner1141]

Scariest part is when someone sharks your air. That’s when someone goes under you and steals your air and you take a sudden drop

[@Whiteknight-xg2pq]

That's a thing? I get how air currents and displacement work but another chute going under you can do that? Is it like a dip or like 10 foot drop all the sudden?

[@kurthafner1141]

@@Whiteknight-xg2pq you hope it’s only a 10ft drop. Your canopy can totally collapse when another chute goes under you.

[@jacquelinejohnson9447]

​@kurthafner1141 wow. That's a very scary, terrifying thought. I didn't know that could happen. 😮

[@dodgechargerrt1873]

SLIP AWAAAAY!!!! LOL

[@kurthafner1141]

@@jacquelinejohnson9447 high winds is worse. We jump from lower altitudes the compensate for the shift.

[@maxcorley5598]

This a day jump! Night jumps are a totally different animal! Stepping off in total darkness is a total rush not to mention how much can go wrong! I am an 82nd Airborne veteran.

[@markthompson4885]

Exactly.. I was hurt on my 19th jump at night. Someone fell into my chute and collapsed it. I hit very hard two days later I could not walk. spent 28 day in traction. all that was 40 years ago I have to take it easy but I can walk with no help .

[@davidlittle8180]

I was an Instructor "Black hat" at the Airborne School 1984-1985. At that time the students made 4 day jumps and 1 night jump to qualify for their jump wings. I used to joke at them and tell them that every one of their jumps would be a night jump because they would close their eyes when they jump. lol. For most people, that was true. I served with the 82nd Airborne Division and later I was with the 5th and 10th Special Forces Groups. I made 1 combat jump into Panama for Operation Just Cause December 1989.

[@blkted2945]

@davidlittle8180 hey Dave, I think you mean 7th SFGA, I was in group in Panama before the conflict at Battery Pratt (where they run Jungle Expert school), we transition to war from our training mission, along with 3rd Bn, 7th SFGA, who was our sister unit that was stationed in Panama. Delta took over most of missions we were training for months, which sucked. But we did execute the others, each ODA had a specific mission, Pacora bridge, the NCOIC academy, the base near Ft. Sherman and the airport. The funny thing was, when we hit Panama, on the Colon side, the city was lockdown and they couldn't really feed themselves, most bought food everyday vs how we use refrigerators. We got back in Jan 90, got off the plane and they had a ceremony right on Green Ramp, combat patch and CIBs.

[@ddawsond]

@@davidlittle8180 In 1968 we called that first jump a night water landing, both eyes closed, pissing all over yourself. Also, that first jump is easy, the second is harder to make. The first you don't know what to expect but the second you are wide awake. You make that third jump you are hooked. I stayed hooked for 8 years. 68-70 airborne Cav 8th Division, 78-84 82 ABN.

[@BADMONTESS]

@@blkted2945 Love itgreatdetailed event from the war. I was there 73-83 Co B, "Bandidos" 3/5, , 193rd Inf Bde. We we holed up at Ft. Kobbe / Howard AFB. I attende Ft. Sherman for PNCOC, pretty good training, lots of class room , some practical hands on. For graduation we had to do a 3 day exercise, chopper insertion, last day was three events , rappell down a waterfall, make 2 man poncho rafts, swim the Chagress, reconstruct our gear and then a pass through friendly lines at night. Not to be bragging, but I graduated the "Distinguished Honor Graduate" from the course. Pulled three 3 day passes from that. Loved Panama, when you left that after 2 years humping the jungle you were a tight cat, nothing you could not do, totally physically fit... Best duty station ever in my 09 years in Uncle Sam's Jam, Airborne!!

[@mattiemathis9549]

The little bundle on their belly is their reserve chute. The guys who pack the chutes are “riggers”. They have to jump with their own chutes. It encourages perfection. 😂 The “bits” missing from the chutes are cut outs and they are designed that way. It helps with steering. After landing, each soldier is responsible for packing up his own shit and getting it to the pick up point. I was a 5 jump chump so I never saw people colliding midair. Hope this helps! I enjoy your channel and this video really brought back some memories. Thanks!

[@grimlockago-go7784]

"RIGGGEEEERRR"

[@GrantWaller.-hf6jn]

For all of you legs a 5 jump chump is someone passes airborne school gets thier jump wings but is not a member of an airborne unit. I had 35 drops. A 2 504 late 80s

[@grimlockago-go7784]

@@GrantWaller.-hf6jn Gotta be able to spell "Supadupaparatroopa" in jumps before you're offical lol

[@DeadDanganronpaGuy]

I've been on parachute detail since I was a leg in my unit.

[@steeljawX]

It's partially steering, but also so that they can descend as fast as possible as safe as possible. It's not like paragliding where you want all the control and stay in the air as long as you can. They want to get out of the air and onto the ground as fast and as controlled as they can. The holes in the chute basically optimize that for the average.

[@janb3695]

My partner was a Para. He came down with a twisted chute and failed reserve (not sure of the exact details ) He had some severe injuries but survived and ran a marathon one year later and continued his career in the Paras!

[@henoch44]

Some rigger was probably prosecuted for that, especially for failed reserve.

[@twofiveb]

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. 💪

[@Subb2kSurvivor]

some times the main chute failure can stop the reserve from deploying correctly. if there is a partial deployment of the main the reserve can deploy into the tangled mess and fail to deploy. it happens sometimes when the jumper doesnt try to force the main to finish deploying (by pulling the risers apart and scissoring their feet) and just pulls the reserve.@@henoch44

[@jspee1965]

Hard as!

[@yhp99]

He kept his feet and knees together and tucked his chin in and rolled. Airborne!

[@ccordawa]

Rucksack or assault pack is hung upside down from rings on pelvis. Reserve parachute is above that. Notice all soldiers left hand placement: they are covering the reserve pull handle. Weapons go in the long pouch attached to left side. I loved jumping! The gear was less then comfortable though. Being the first jumper in a chaulk is frickin awesome. You get to enjoy the view then throw yourself into it. Graduated US airborne school on 10Aug2001. Served with 2/75 in OEF. RLTW!

[@3rdranger1recon19]

Right hand covers the reserve pull handle, left is just placed on the side for body position.

[@user-bn3to3gm2p]

to get the "door" (first out) was a reward for something

[@TarahMatson-zz2hj]

My husband was in the 101st at Fort Campbell, KY. We used to see the troops jumping from planes often. My stepmom calls the planes “Trooper Poopers”. My husband wasn’t airborne qualified, but my Dad was in his day. Both are now veterans. To all soldiers past and present I thank you for serving your country and sustaining our freedom. God bless you all!❤️

[@mikebunner3498]

Way back in the mid 1980's I lived in North Carolina, home state of the 82nd. These guys are BAD ASSES!!!! This method puts many people on the ground in very little time!!!!! They are highly motivated!!!! Warriors...

[@iatsd]

This method will get you killed if it's ever used in a modern war. You simply can't drop large numbers of troops in contested space without losing a good number of them. They are practicing something the US - and in particular the US, given how casualty averse the US military is - will never do again. The Russians tried it with their invasion of Ukraine. They attempted para drops in 2 locations with 6 aircraft. Of the 6, 4 were shot down, killing over 500 paratroopers before they even got into combat. The helicopter forces fared better, with over 120 transport helicopters involved in attacks on 6 locations. Of those, fewer than 5 were shot down on the way to their drop zones. Another 11 were shot down *at* the drop zones, half a dozen were shot down while *exiting* and on RTB. In every instance the para & heli-borne troops were defeated within 24 hours.

[@MikeHunt-c5p]

I went to basic and AIT with a bunch of draftees. Fights all the time with pussies. Got to jump school, everyone did 15 pull ups. Alotta respect there

[@1944Jakob]

I jumped Bragg back in the 60s and 70s.....you had 12 seconds to empty that plane or wind up in the trees

[@randieandjodistrom854]

I went through Airborne (paratrooper) school at Ft. Benning many, many years ago. In fact, when people ask me why I'd jump out of a perfectly good airplane, I advise them that my first two jumps were out of a C-123 Provider, a 1950's era twin-piston engine cargo airplane and not what I would call a "perfectly good airplane." In fact, as I sat in the troop seats getting ready to jump, I had bolts falling into my lap. Mr. "OriginalHuman" is correct with respect to the gear, the "day sack" is in front between the paratrooper's legs and the weapons case along their left side. And yes, the compartment in front at chest level is a secondary chute in case the main chute fails or malfunctions. You're only at 1,250 feet (about 380 meters), so when you exit the aircraft you count to three, look up, and if you don't have a good chute above you, you pull the cord on your reserve because you don't have enough time to do anything else. Bottom line, if you get from the aircraft to the ground and can get up and fight, whether you had a chute or not, it's a good jump. Cheers.

[@gdheib0430]

Did a skytrain 141 once, but yeah no thanks on the 123 got bigger balls of steel than myself. Still love the 130s though always an amazing jumping platform.

[@brucestiles6477]

I went to Airborne School in 1979, with two or three jumps from a C-123. The wings were flexing, something like a bird flapping its wings, although not as much. I trusted my parachute, and I couldn't wait to get out of that airplane.

[@blkted2945]

division jump I believe at 500 AGL (500 feet), once you count to 4, you jettison your equipment. They rarely jumped at 1250 feet from what I remember, they don't want sky sharks and they want you to get to the ground the fastest way possible, less injuries. We jumped most at 1250 feet and sometimes higher, we had some cocky pilots.

[@0130wallace]

@@blkted2945 800 feet for fixed wing aircraft, 1200 for rotary wing.

[@blkted2945]

@0130wallace yep, 500ft sometimes and 1250 AGL but went higher, I remember running jumps and we started at 0600hrs and was in the office by 0900hrs. My last jump, they used toilet rolls as chalk markers, thought that was funny. Before I retired, we got a new Air guy and scheduled my last jump for a combat equipment night jump. The shop said, man, Ted ain't going to make that his last jump, i cussed that guy out and of course, Hollywood UH60 at St. Mere Eglise.

[@billb.2897]

*** In your KZbin, you mentioned parachutes might touch on the way down. But MORE than that can take place . . . *** In November 1969 at Ft. Benning, GA, I attended the Basic Airborne Course. I was making one of the 5 required parachute jumps during the final "Jump Week"-- this one from a Lockheed C-141 (powered by a turbofan jet engine). While coming down, I found myself being "drafted" into the wake of a neighboring soldier's parachute below me. You can maneuver your parachute's descent somewhat by reaching up, grabbing the chute's risers (the lines attaching you to the parachute fabric), and pulling down. Air spills out, and the parachute drifts in the direction you are pulling. So I did that, trying to move away horizontally from the approaching parachute. But, it wouldn't work! No matter how much I pulled, I found myself heading down into that upcoming parachute. I ended up LANDING on top of that chute! My feet started sinking into it under me as air started leaving my own parachute -- mine was deflating! At the same time, the tension eased in my risers. This gave me some maneuverability, and I found I could "walk" on the fluffy parachute, like a big pillow. But, my steps were sinking lower on it, and I knew it would eventually collapse. I also eyed a hole located in the center of the chute's fabric, designed to stabilize its descent. If I stepped into it, I could do nothing. Both the soldier under me and I could end up in a horrible accident. He yelled up at me to "Get off," and I yelled back "I'm trying. in a matter of seconds, all I did was make a right turn and walk off the parachute, thus making TWO actual jumps during what should have been only ONE!

[@BADMONTESS]

Sweet, you sick bastard, sneaking in another jump to get it logged into your jump book, can't trust a paratrooper on thisngs like this... Great story, I got lucky and never had to be in that position. Mass attack we all had the 10's, songle aircraft we had the _1B's with the Apex and try to steer to our TIP. Always a blast, even certain Sat's. they held Hollywood jumps for pay hurts, we could go and get in 2 or 3 that counted to our total. Tailgating 123's

[@mypoeticlicense4537]

The bag in front against the legs is that Alice Pack, the pack with the red tab is the reserve chute and the pack on the side is the weapon. Chute has a static line which has a (in my time) 4 second count after exit of aircraft for opening shock of your chute. We try to keep one arm interval with the trooper in front of you to maintain a one second spacing upon exiting the bird. The material you see on some of the chutes dangling is a deployed reserve chute. Either it deployed or the trooper got tangled and deployed it. It is the individual troopers responsibility to check their space below them and ensure no other troopers are below you because it will shark your air and your chute could deflate, so to speak.800 ft is normal altitude for ops and mostly done at night. Chutes fail, you run across chutes, you get tangled all that is Murphy's Law. The H harness is deployed 100 ft off the ground that is the Alice Pack dangling prior to hitting the ground. I always got butterflies and it was adrenaline. I hope this was useful, AIRBORNE All The Way!

[@Harakoni_Warhawks]

My Grandfather was a Paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War.

[@erikswanson6687]

I had to go to army airborne school during a period where the Army took the SEAL’s authority to run our own jump training away (the Army controls all military jumping while the Navy controls all military diving). I did ~60 static line jumps before going to free fall school. Never static-lined again after that.

[@Chris_Hetherington]

The 82nd Airborne Division trains to conduct airfield seizures. These paratroopers will parachute into an occupied airfield and take over control so that troops and equipment can land and deploy from the seized airfield. The 82nd Also has the ability to carry out the same mission with sea ports. The equipment they use are as follows: the T-11 Main Parachute equipped with a T-11 reserve parachute (mounted front), MOLLE (Molly) Ruck Sack, M-1950 Weapons Case.

[@carlosalaniz6888]

They're also a Ready Deployment Force that could be anywhere in the world in 18 hrs.

[@twofiveb]

Yeah, that’s the main purpose of the airborne. A HUGE or smaller fighting element can be deployed faster than what can be deployed by sea or land.

[@denisdegamon8224]

Hell, when I went to jump school back in the early 70's we still were jumping with T10 chutes.

[@pookatim]

Yes, there is a back-up chute on the front by the waist. The parachutes are not damaged, they openings to allow the trooper to steer them as they glide. They are not that close together. Their equipment such as packs are carried on a strap that dangles below them as they glide so that the weight of the pack hits the ground before the trooper. That way his body doesn't bear the weight of the pack when he lands on the ground. They are at a relatively low altitude to prevent the troops from getting scattered and to lessen the time they are exposed to the enemy but to allow enough time for them to release a bad chute and open the reserve chute. Step one is to leave the plane step two is to look up and make sure you have a "good canopy". If the canopy is not properly deployed, you release yourself from it and pull the ripcord on the reserve chute, grab the straps and pull yourself to the upright position putting the straps behind your arms.

[@TacoEaterNoSe]

The C-17 can airdrop 102 paratroopers and yes there is a back up chute if the main one fails to deploy

[@jeffhall2411]

Wouldn't that drop be too low to the ground to be able to drop bad chute and deploy backup?

[@grimlockago-go7784]

@@jeffhall2411 you keep original chute. It's ingrained into you all jump career that if you hit past the number 4 while counting during fall you deploy reserve. If the chute's damaged or rolled up "cigarette roll" then deploy reserve. And yeah, not much time to do it, but any reduction in decent is better than becoming a dirt dart.

[@jamesgirard1090]

@@jeffhall2411 you don’t have much time and you have to decide real quick. If you want to use it if you have a partial malfunction and you use the reserve, it can collapse the main.

[@AdamMPick]

@@jeffhall2411The reserve is not supposed to make the landing smooth, it makes the landing "less deadly", usually no broken bones, but no promises. Can be deployed very late and still save you. kzbin.infoWDW-uWrCgzE this is a newer example. Happens all the time. Lots of videos of reserve parachute out there. There are two ways of doing it, like the US keep the old schute and just throw out the reserve, or quick release the old one and throw the reserve. Keeping the old one makes it simpler to do and gives you more time, releasing the old one makes the reserve less prone to fail, also. With quick release kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZyToY1jndWGb6M

[@twofiveb]

In jump school we were trained to not rush the “1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, 4 Mississippi” count so we wouldn’t freak out and pull the reserve too soon. However, there were jumpers that did and it won’t disrupt the functionality of the main chute. You’ll just look like a mook and be the butt of some jokes afterwards.🤣

[@shanechostetler9997]

Makes me proud to know we have young guys willing to do this for our country! 👍👍

[@MorellioBenoir]

Could this man ever be a guest on the Unsubscribe podcast with the Fat Electrician and crew? Could be amazing.

[@thomasohanlon1060]

Let either Eli, Donut, TFE or Brandon know (i.e, everyone that would like to see him on the Unsubscribe podcast).

[@Kenneth_James]

he'd be a hit on there since he doesn't remember anything about military and repeats I'm an ex RMCommando every chance. They'd enjoy his company.

[@natgoodwin539]

It is literally like he has never seen any military stuff in his life, did he get hit on the head during his royal marine training?? Ive got to start a video session of me reacting to people not knowing anything and me getting angry lol.​@Kenneth_James

[@_problemzjmo]

V.vppok j​

[@ryanchapman3239]

@@natgoodwin539 Biggest part of me prays the reaction is to relate to someone who has never seen a few war movies or played a war video game. Much less have the access to research a topic on a platform jovially referred to as the internet for 30 seconds. On the landings though, that one guy that hit forward. You don't feel it now buddy.

[@gadgetguy44]

I was in the Ranger Battalion and yes we have a reserve shoot. Combat jump is 800 feet . However after many jumps you get a feel for how high you are and I'd swear there many that were under 800 by at least 100 feet...they'd never tell you though. Most of our jump were at night....now that brings an element of excitement to the game! It actually is a pretty cool way to infill. We really liked Chinook and Blackhawks more exact and the ability to lay down cover fire should never be taken for granted.

[@benjaminjames9862]

That bag between the legs is a ruck. Packed for three days of operation. My heaviest was 75 pounds, but I have friends that have jumped 100 pounds.

[@jamesbowen4696]

THE BAG BETWEEN THEIR LEGS WAS THEIR RUCK , WHICH HELD THE HUGE BALLS OF PARATROOPERS

[@3rdranger1recon19]

My rucksack averaged 84 pounds, LBE 25 lbs, m-60 30 lbs with a 100 rd belt attached. Anything added increased the weight.

[@blkted2945]

don't forget, we used to drop with commo gear and mortars and they don't count, we had one guy jump the base plate, another with the tube and separate the radios from the batteries. We didn't use I think the 1950 weapons case, always thought that was stupid. I jumped with division when I needed a night combat equipment jump and they issued me that, I had to ask for help to rig it, we just didn't use that, it's something about lowering your weapon I never understood. On that jump, the JM missed the jumper not attaching it to the D-ring and I literally watched that ruck and weapon barrel to the ground. I ran over to the guy after the jump and the barrel was bent when he took the weapon out. All I was thinking, man you could have killed someone.

[@ShayneHinkle]

Especially when guys carry extra ammo for 240’s, Javelin rockets, pick axe heads, handles, all kinds of equipment that make you easily 100lbs over your body weight.

[@joannpritchett5076]

Was on SF special operations team alpha, my ruck averaged 120-125 pounds. Radio, battery, antenna bag, burst device and what ever rations I could cram in the ruck. We were to carry rations for 7 days, which you could stretch out to 2 if you rationed yourself and they would try to get re=supply drop to you. After that you started eating tree bark or something. Regardless of weight I always carried my bottle of Tobasco Sauce. Always!

[@donnahudgens3977]

My dad was on maneuvers to Turkey with 101st in 1963. They lost two engines over the Mediterranean and he said not one paratrooper had his chute. The “Upper Mgmt” had sent the chutes on a separate flight with the jeeps! They landed safely by the Grace of God!

[@sizemorej]

That bag on their belly is a reserve chute. If they collide , it can lead to death. My father died that way. Was a paratrooper myself in the 80s.

[@57menjr]

sorry for your loose and thanks for his bravery !

[@craigmcguire6573]

My six years in the 82nd was great. Cherry blast was ch-47 tailgate in the pouring rain in January while TDY to Ft Hood. Have ch-47, uh-60, c-141, c-130, and c-17 on jump log.

[@AlbySatter]

Nothing dumber then a plumber but I hear you Royal Marines kick ass and take names later! Rigorous training I hear hats off to yah sir!

[@LogicalNiko]

The reason you store your gear low is mainly just physics. When landing you want to minimize risk to injuries on your legs and back from shock. Because if these injuries occur you have gone from being an asset to a liability. So before you land your pack is dropped and tethered by a line (which can be cut, or break away if snagged) and that means the weight of that gear is not going to be placed on your body.

[@82ndSarge]

Yes, that is their "Bergen" rucksack...and that is the weapon's case under the left arm...reserve chute is on the chest. The "bergen" is released 100ft from the ground...it is attached by a line. Also, you will notice that some of them have unit a patch (AA = 82nd Airborne) on one shoulder, while other have a unit patch on both. Those who have one on their right shoulder deployed in combat...it is their "combat patch". Finaly, standing in the door is the best position in the stick...back in my day (40 odd years ago) it was considered a position of honor.

[@buffalosoldier19d42]

I was scared (still am) of heights. I was number two man once. When I looked out the door my mind went blank. Brain just said "Fuck that." So, for the next four years I was a stick pusher. I had no problem looking out the door if I wasn't going out the door. 😂

[@twofiveb]

On our first jump I was right after our class leader. They told us to look directly out into the horizon, don’t look down because it will creep you out. Being right after the first jumper I decided to test the theory and yeah, they were right. I never looked down from the door after that.

[@jamesponicsan6129]

The "AA" patch of the 82nd Airborne stands for "All American". I was stationed with the 82nd for a good number of years. Airborne! I retired with a single "A" (ARCENT) within a circle patch on my right shoulder.

[@russpendleton9031]

I went to the yalls Army jumping school in February of 1980. My neighbor Gunny went to British Royal Marine Commando school back in the 60s he was in Recon back then.

[@aaronturner4169]

I was actually a paratrooper in the 173rd during OIF/OEF. If you bump into each other, they teach you to "slip away" by grabbing any combination of 2 risers to ride the air away from each other. You can also shark the air from above somebody and make them fall a lil faster as a bit of a troll.

[@richardlucas7184]

I didn't see any "Herd" patches on any of them, just 101st, 82nd and a 4th div.

[@gdheib0430]

@@richardlucas7184 They got a mustard star (combat jump) in Iraq jumping into the Kurdish Northern Alliance area. Herd it was like Market Garden...pretty much an easy jump as a show of force.

[@gsaunds100]

If, during the descent, you "land" on the chute below you, you literally "run" to the edge of that chute (like running in a vat of Jello) and drop off. Your chute, having been in the lower guy's wind shadow, will be partially collapsed: you will fall faster than him, and end up below him, with a full chute again. There is a very good chance that HIS chute will then be sucked into YOUR wind shadow and the whole thing will repeat, with him on top. You can "leapfrog" all the way to the ground like this, and both guys will probably be OK. If you collide with another trooper, you're taught to hug each other and you descend to the ground like that. Again, both guys will probably be OK. "Gory, gory, what a helluva way to die, and he ain't gonna jump no more!" AIRBORNE!!

[@davidretondo2871]

That sounds like a freaking adrenalin junkies dream! If he was brave and honorable!

[@michaelelliott9657]

I used to be a medic doing DZ cover for drops, we'd see guys "Daisy chaining" like that, sometimes takimg bets on which one got the harder landing - while running ready to assist if needed.

[@T0n3man]

This is a recording of the literal cracking open of several cans of whoopass!

[@mikhielthorsson6033]

I was old school Airborne from back in the 80s, when there was the T-10 nonsteerable and the MC1-1B steerable parachute. I was in 1st Bat 509th Airborne, the unit that made the first Combat jump for the United States military in 1942 into Algiers, North Africa, 2 years before the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France.

[@mikebennett6713aceadventures]

Yes everyone has a back up, it’s on the stomach above the ruck sack, jumping that low you may not have time to use it if needed. 82/325. If you land on another chute, run off of it……….

[@nathanmeece9794]

The 82nd Airborne is based at Fort Liberty, formally called Fort Bragg, in Fayetteville, NC . Everyone around still calls it Fort Bragg.I do too.

[@rogerperkins899]

It'll never be "Ft. Liberty."

[@amazinggrace5692]

I’m curious, why did they change the name at all?

[@nathanmeece9794]

@@amazinggrace5692 It was named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg. They are renaming bases named after Confederate Generals and any thing else related to the Confederate states They are bound and determined to erase anything to do with the South and the brave southern men who fought for the cause they believed in. They even removing statues of Confederate Soldiers that were put up to honor the soldiers. They have even removed a Confederate Monument in Arlington Cemetery. It was surrounded by Confederate Soldiers graves.Confederate soldiers are recognized as veterans by an act passed by Congress.

[@JayPetet]

It's Ft Bragg liberty would be a good name for somewhere else

[@nellerue446]

@@amazinggrace5692 Because Fort Bragg was named after a Confederate General - Braxton Bragg. General Bragg was very unpopular with his troops and fellow officers. The only reason they named it after him was because he was from North Carolina, where Fort Bragg (Fort Liberty) is located. Nine army bases had their names changed because they were named after Confederate Generals. It cost over 6 million dollars for the transition of Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty.

[@mstwinklebotz6240]

Having 15 jumps personally, the pack on the front of the chest is a reserve parachute in case the primary T-11 ( which is the one on the back ) fails for whatever reason. Typically, the static line is designed to open the T-11 automatically after 6 seconds, if it doesn't deploy after 6 seconds you immediately go for the reserve. The bag on the side is the MAW-C which can carry an M4, a SAW, or in some cases an M240L. But the jumps are a lot of fun, and quite exciting!

[@OddBallPerformance]

Looks like a full Company training jump to me. You never realize how enormous the C17 is until you walk up into one. They look like they shouldn't be able to fly lol.

[@Subb2kSurvivor]

No LBE in one of the clips, if i had to guess it was a Hollywood Jump, usually to keep REMPs jump qualified. Or it may have been a demonstration jump during some publicity event.

[@minuscule4336]

That is full battle rattle. None of those guys are from the 101st - some are wearing combat patches from the 101st, but they are in the 82nd now. They have their chute on their back, their reserve on their belly, their ruck between their legs, and rifle on their right side. The phone is allowed. They get some good air shots with their phones. It’s all guys in the kind companies. Line company is 120 doopers, and one company per bird. 400 doopers is the equivalent of 1000 regular soldiers.

[@PanioloBee]

It seems to me the first thing they may want to do after landing is to take a pee! 😂

[@1chumley1]

​@@PanioloBeeYep

[@drewsteffen8166]

Yes a reserve chute on chest. Also can use it to climb out of a tree if you get stuck in 1.

[@markkramer3896]

I was in the 82nd way back in 1977 to 1983. There was nothing like putting the knees in the breeze.

[@skyflyer43]

I'll stick with the HALO

[@82delta]

...and shakin it loose like a bucket full of juice! AIRBORNE !

[@winterhorse290]

Malfunction rates are 1 in 10000 deployments. Then you have the reserve chute to take care of that….. LEG!

[@twofiveb]

For you NAP’s out there: A leg is a device used to hold up a chicken’s ass. It takes two of them!

[@FuzzyMarineVet]

My daughter was in the 82d AD in the 1990s. I teased her for stepping out of a perfectly good airplane before it lands and she teased me for climbing over the side of a landing ship on a net and riding a Mike Boat to the beach. I told her, "If the boat sinks I know how to swim, but what can you do if the parachute fails?"

[@storbokki371]

use your reserve chute. lol

[@edschaefer6597]

First, there is no such thing as a perfectly good airplane. Second, if your chute fails, you have a reserve,

[@kevinmcoran1023]

As the saying goes "No one jumps out of a perfectly good airplane that's why the airforce built the C141

[@minuscule4336]

Duh. She performs a PLF and rushes off to the beach to save the marines.

[@silntstl]

There is no "perfectly good airplane" especially in the Air Force. The reserve chute strapped in the front is the backup in case of failure, after that you could always try flapping your arms......

[@markt4297]

The 2nd bag on their chest is a reserve chute if the main one on the back fails. The streamers is see are to give wind info. They have riggers who pack the chutes with a lot of quality checks. Each chute has a serial number & log book. The riggers inspect chutes and signs as the packer. Each chute has an inspection tag also signed by the rigger. Riggers also have to be jump qualified and the also rigg all the heavy loads pushed out the back of planes.

[@SnowmanTF2]

The reason the parachutes look so quirky is so have somewhat more control on where can land verses older designs

[@donralston7599]

I think from the 70's all the way until the 2010's the parachute was the round T-10 main with the T-10-1 being the steerable one with toggles and cutouts. and then they changed over to the T-11. it's square with cutouts and in the corners and steerable also. its apparently a pain in the ass to pack but totally worth it when they jump.it used to be that the t-10 quota for a rigger in the light pack platoon was 25 a day. and now the T-11s is 20 a day.

[@brucestiles6477]

The guy who is the first person out is called the "Door Man." You *DO* want to be the Door Man, because you get a great view out the door for a short period before you jump.

[@chrisjones5192]

The reserve chute is on the front. On Purple Star back in 96 we had 5000 troops in the air, 29 Hercules aircraft it was amazing. 1 guy was unlucky enough to have a Roman Candle for a parachute. American kit is actually quite badly maintained, we went to Florida in 97 the first 2x chits they pulled out had rips in them. The rest were ok😅. Training jumps are usually from 1000-1200ft, exercise jumps are from 600ft. With an expectation of up to 10% casualties.

[@zekeiyf2003]

The 82nd? Cool, love our favorite AA, or Athletic Alcoholics.

[@82delta]

You a one oh worst pukin chicken?

[@davideasiebert1941]

Thank all of you men and women who serve in our military every man in my family served.

[@pdimler]

We jump because somebody down there needs us.

[@ericaddis7414]

I had 37 static line jumps in the 1990s. I've never jumped from anything larger than a C141 and certainly never used a parachute as nice as those. Everything else is pretty much the same. Thanks for the video.

[@ettoresorbara2078]

Jump school at Benning first 2 jumps were from C119 also known as the flying box car the other 3 jumps were from C131 Hercules . Secondly the new chutes looks a lot better than the old one from my day's

[@mikekelley7589]

Let's go! Reserve is on the front.

[@timothydixon2545]

Yep main on the back reserve in the front and I can’t believe he thinks that for training purposes that they wouldn’t just with their rifles

[@thomasohanlon1060]

@@timothydixon2545 Well there are two types of jumps, there is the Combat Equipment jump that was in the video and then there is the "Hollywood" jump where the trooper wears their main and reserve parachutes.

[@GrantWaller.-hf6jn]

Green Light GO GO GO!!

[@jackdaniel7465]

Bco 3rd Bn 325th infantry "Let's Go"

[@GrantWaller.-hf6jn]

​@@jackdaniel7465thanks brother strike hold

[@SeraphusInferis]

Between the sharks, the nut-bumps, the "simulated" hot drops, and everything else... it's still one hell of a time.

[@scotts6376]

Knees in the breeze!

[@GrantWaller.-hf6jn]

Remember your 5 points of contact.

[@poochie3275]

From the family of Col. John Ripley USMC (deseased) Navy Cross, Quad Body, which includes wearing the insignia of your British Royal Marines, only U.S. Marine inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall Of Fame, and much more----we love your site!

[@damnthevalleybook]

I actually did some joint stuff with you guys back in Helmand in 2009. Good stuff...have some good stories about jumps in division. My last jump at Fort Bragg had a chute failure wild enough.

[@mycroft16]

The long focal length of some of those shots compresses apparent distance so they look closer than they are. Though they are still pretty close, it is what they train for. The whole point is to fly as low as possible so the people aren't in the air any longer than absolutely necessary. Which is why a static line is used. Rather than relying on the soldier to pull the rip-cord, the hook is the rip cord. As you jump out your chute is already deploying, you don't worry about anything.The guy by the door is keeping the previous hooks out of the way of the next jumpers.

[@CCoburn3]

I loved hanging my knees in the breeze. But that was decades ago. In the US, we have riggers who rig parachutes all day, every day. But whenever one of the chutes they rig is randomly selected, they have to wear it for a jump. That's one reason the chutes all work. But, yes, there is a reserve chute. It was the package you saw worn high on their chest.

[@1chumley1]

My LRS unit did a C-130 tailgate jump that sent 7 out of 21 jumpers to the ER. We hypothesized that the plane was carrying too much airspeed when the green light came on. The opening shock was brutal. The DZ was likely too windy for a drop, but guy running it was a little prick and made us do it anyway.

[@bellator3691]

I was not in the Army but I can recognize a large can of whoop-ass when I see it. USMC Master Sergeant x 27 years,

[@nunyabusiness4651]

2:52 this image really tells you how massive this plane is, I mean compare this to a C-47. 12 guy fit in that plane! and the not exactly small, this thing could carry a house!

[@AgraFarmsllc]

That is full kit . The weapon bag is tucked either under arm the bag dragging is the ruck they carry, the folded bag just under the emergency chute which is at the waistq. They are shot gunning both doors any misstep and you get collisions. Once down we pick up our chutes and bag them. Yes the main and then the emergency chute is directly at the waist. I have 19 years jumping in special ops. Spent more than 3 years of that in Ranger battalion. Collision do happen. I have had 2 partial malfunctions my last one I woke up in the hospital.

[@suprasam98]

Still here at Bragg/liberty. about to retire in Jan. I did 25 jumps last year. Big difference between us and the U.K. paras is we try to get every trooper at least 4 jumps a year and currently U.K. is having issues getting close to the level of airborne proficiency. after that airfield seizure attacking and objective is standard. There is a reserve attached to the front of the harness and we jump 1000 ft agl with the t11-and used to jump 800 with the older t10.

[@twofiveb]

Congrats on retirement!

[@alvinkraycraft763]

We always said if you are scared to jump the Marines will take you.

[@lanetatom2701]

I heard of a guy running over the top of a chute. Put pull on your opposite riser and try to float away. If you are entangled, grab ahold of each other and quickly discuss which way you want to land. But the first part is accomplished by the parachute rigors and they have to sign their name on the chute and occasionally have to jump with a chute they packed. The next part of the job is performed by the pilot. Does he drop you over a field? Or over a river, or trees? But If the chute fails, deploy your reserve. If that one fails, do whatever you want in your last seconds of life.

[@N0LSD]

3:59 : The gear hanging in front is the paratrooper's reserve chute above, rucksack below. There is also a kit bag, strapped over the upper theighs in the webbing of the leg straps of the main chute harness: this kit bag is used to store the recovered parachute, once the jumper has landed successfully. On the left side is a rifle (usually M-4 carbine) in a (somewhat) padded sack. The rucksack and rifle bag are lowered on a separate line approximately 175-150ft above the ground, prior to the paratrooper landing. This type of jump is known as a 'combat equipment' jump; if the jump occurred without the rifle and rucksack, it would be termed a 'Hollywood' jump. 6:03 : It occasionally occurs, where there is a failure in how a chute is packed; and therefore how it deploys. However, in the American military there is a whole job function (parachute rigger) that is dedicated to the recovery, check-out, and packing of these parachutes. Riggers are experts in their field, and their work is checked and re-checked. Additionally, riggers are required to jump a chute that *they* themselves have packed, annually. 9:00 'What happens if you run into someone else's chute?" --if it's an 'above and below' thing, the top person will typically walk right across the lower jumper's chute; however, it's very dangerous because there's a vaccum of air vertically, so the upper jumper will plummet pretty quickly --we'd call this 'stealing someone's air.' If the collision is side-to-side, one is trained to go spread-eagle, in an effort to 'bounce' off the suspension lines of the other jumper. This is rather like cliff-diving: you're either world champion, or stuff on a rock. If one is unable to bounce off the other's suspension lines, it will almost always be an entanglement situation, at which time communication between the jumpers will be paramount. if the chutes are still fully inflated, just ride it down and each jumper will then execute a parachute landing fall upon landing. If either chute fails, the upper jumper will deploy their reserve parachute --which is capable of carrying *two* paratroopers safely to the ground. The other possibility is if one jumper follows the previous jumper out the door too closely. This is loosely called 'riding another's pack tray' --and is extremely dangerous, because the static line automatically deploys the parachute deployment bag after 4 seconds; this deployment bag then deploys the jumpers main parachute. If one is following the previous jumper too closely, their chute will deploy and their forward momentum will drop significantly, while the jumper behind is still moving quite quickly. This can result in the jumper behind being smashed in the face by the forward jumper's equipment, which may injure the rear-ward jumper and/or knock them unconscious. In training, this is taught to be avoided by maintaining an arm's length distance between jumpers as they are moving toward, and exiting the aircraft. There should also be alternation between jumpers exiting the opposite sides of the aircraft, so as to avoid jumpers exiting opposite sides of the aircraft at the same time, and colliding under and behind the aircraft following exit. This is also extremely dangerous, as the jumpers exiting the aircraft are moving at 150miles per hour. Colliding under the plane following exit could result in serious injury, loss of consciousness, or entanglement of the jumper's static lines. Airborne operations are dangerous, and the training can mitigate only so much of the danger. Oh, by the way...the jumper that was dragged a little way? --he failed twice. First, it is protocol to release one of the rings holding the chute to the harness --to avoid the chute catching air once the jumper has landed, thus dragging the jumper. Not only did the jumper fail to execute this, but when he *did* release it, he release *both* of them...and the parachute, now re-inflated, went across the drop zone. This is very dangerous to other jumpers, especially ones that have yet to land.

[@beadcutter8644]

The idea behind a mass tactical jump is to get as many combat-ready Soldiers on the ground in the shortest amount of time. So in peace time they jump at 800-1200 feet unless the USAF screws up. In war or other live hostile entry events it used to be as low as 600 feet above ground level. In a 600 foot jump, the parachute opens and you hit the ground. No time to enjoy the view. C-17s hold 102 combat ready paratroopers. These guys are the 82nd Airborne Division and can be wheels up to deploy world-wide within 24 hours.

[@psrandy1]

My son is a 101st Airborne SCREAMIN EAGLE!! He is based in FT Campbell Kentucky and is a BEAST. It can deploy 102 in a single pass from 2 doors. Can also carry 134 troops in seats with a payload of 170,900 lbs

[@BADMONTESS]

Sorry, but the 101Worst are Dopes on a rope to us who actually use a chute... Tell him to transfer to Eighty Deuce at Bragg and get into a more professional unit...

[@the68gabn]

The rules are to pull a slip away from other jumpers. The lower jumper has the right away. They carry a reserve parachute in front of them. It is a rucksack hanging down. It is released at about 100 feet above the ground. No sections were missing from the chute. It is a panel removed to facilitate steering control.

[@thedemocrat73]

This was most terrifying thing I've ever done in my life. Did 8yrs in the army stationed at Fort Bragg N.C. ~ 11b weapons squad 1st 325 pir fighting falcons circa 92

[@SkywalkerPMs]

I did this for 12 years, at Bragg. Medic. Did many jumps, covered many more. Ive only had one chute squid, 2 tree landings, and hit a humvee.

[@emanonevahisey5841]

If you look at the paratroopers as they are boarding the aircraft, they have their day packs at their knees their weapon strapped to their side, the main chute strapped to their back, and the bag at their abdomen with the red strap on it is the reserve chute.

[@Sertoric]

Give you an idea of how safe it is. I was a Jumpmaster for 7 1/2 years. During that time we jumped 3 times a month, 4 planes, and 64 jumpers each. There were only two injuries during that time, none were due to chutes not opening. I just wanted to answer your question about a backup chute. Yes, there is one on your front waist if jumping over 500ft (152.4m) above ground level. At 800ft (243.84m) you only have 6.4 seconds before you are on the ground

[@russchadwell]

1985, first day of Jump School. Col. Scott gave a big welcome speech: "It don't get no better than this!!" We all roared in agreement! Later, though we found out what he really meant. And, he said, "told you it doesn't get any better."

[@RichLobo1944]

I was a member of the 82nd, and I had over 60 jumps not including sport jumps on the weekends. Yes we had both a main and reserve parachute every time. If we descend on top of another's canopy we would first attempt to run off to avoid entanglement. If we were entangled we would try to join up and land together, this was in the event one of our parachutes failed.

[@darrellwade380]

Their backup or what we Americans call Reserve was on the chest above their rucksack (daypack)

[@dragoncarver287]

One of my uncles was in 17the Airborne in WW2. Did 4 jump in combat including Operation Market Garden. I was in the Coast Guard myself so didn't do any stuff like this. When I was younger I might have tried it but not anymore. I'm really a "feet on the ground" kind of guy. Hats off to all who did it though. Carry on, Lads!

[@daviddelambert2752]

The C-17 Globemaster III aircraft is one of the Air Force's main long-range, heavy transport aircraft. It can deploy 102 paratroopers from two troop doors in a single pass. Airborne forces execute parachute assaults to destroy enemy forces and seize and hold key objectives until linkup with follow-on forces.

[@gofoats]

It can also yeet 45 LRASMs via Rapid Dragon. Either payload is a bad day for the enemy.

[@RedPillLife1966]

My Father was Airborne in 1960-1964. During the Indo-China conflict. He said he was okay with the takeoff and landing, it was getting out in the middle he didn't like. lol

[@jimmyb2655]

They are all so calm, they look like they are just boarding a southwest flight.

[@DonMeaker]

The first person out will usually be the commander/leader. The gear has been used since 1943, with improvements made. Very reliable. The Army has a special military occupational specialty called "Riggers" who repack parachutes. They will, every month, pull one of their parachutes from the store, and jump it. The small bag across their front, about at waist level is the 'reserve parachute', it isn't quite as big as the main parachute, but opens very quickly, and can open at a slower speed. If the main parachute doesn't open correctly, the handle on the reserve will be pulled by the jumper, and a small parachute is spring-loaded to pop out, and the air flow catches that, and pulls the reserve parachute out. On occasion a lighter soldier will not fall as quickly as a heavier soldier and can drift or be pulled over the parachute of the heavier soldier, where the suction from the air moving around the heavy soldier parachute will suck him onto the canopy. The top soldier will try to 'swim' off the canopy as quickly as he can because deforming the parachute canopy can make it fall faster, or (worst case) even collapse it, leading to a much harder landing for the guy on the bottom. Typical jump heights are 1000 feet for training from aircraft, 400 feet for combat (but you won't have a chance to use a reserve parachute then), but1200 feet for training if jumping from helicopters, because you need to fall faster and further before the parachute opens because of the downwash (downward wind) from the helicopter rotor blades.

[@saplingthrasher23]

You don't fall faster. Terminal velocity the mac speed you can fall at regardless of weight/mass. You might accelerate to the speed due to rotor wash but cant exceed it. I have jumped from C-130s, C-141s, a C-5 and a CH-47 using either the T-10B or MC1-1C. Static lines are the same length for these. The time from exit on fixed wing is aprox 4 sec. On the Chinook is approximately 6 sec. This of course is mostly due to the rate of forward momen

[@DonMeaker]

@@saplingthrasher23 Falling with the rotor wash means you have to fall farther go faster before the parachute gets enough relative airflow to open. The static line is the same length, but the parachute doesn't act the same, it is slower opening when jumping in the downwash of a helicopter. Terminal velocity doesn't just depend on mass, it also depends on drag- (the square of the velocity is proportional to the drag) which is why you have a parachute- it radically increases the drag, so you have a much slower terminal velocity.

[@storbokki371]

Veteran US Paratrooper. This goes bad very rarely. There are specific inspections, procedures and checks by a second set of eyes at several stages of packing the chute, and the rigger signs the chutes he packets. The chutes are dated, and after a certain amount of time if it isn't used, it is re-packed all over again. It's much easier to just jump them though, for example I had 5 jumps in one day while we had a chinook that could just lift, drop, land repeat on a freshly plowed field in German, so fun. Airborne go through a 3-week course. After that, before each jump they go through a refresher on how to exit the door and land. Parachute Riggers inspect chutes and jumpers to insure they are property worn. In training they can be dropped as low as 800 ft which is required for the chute to open, but usually higher to allow a second chance with the reserve chute if necessary. Things can go wrong at any stage. Obviously in a combat situation the plane can be shot out of the sky. A jumper might have a bad exit and get dragged behind the plane, chutes collide even though they are steerable, a chute can tangle even with itself while deploying, a windy day can cause a dangerously hard landing, you can land wrong or crash into trees vehicles, buildings, you can burn in if your chute doesn't open, You have a reserve chute that is subject to all the same risks and it's smaller than the main. A lot of things can go wrong. You do hear about deaths now and then even in training. I miss it and would do it again if I wasn't in my 60s.

[@505bondo5]

Rarely does anything go wrong. That's true. But in the 80s at Ft. Bragg it was not uncommon to see someone with a messed up bicep . . . where the muscle was relocated near the elbow or, less commonly, in a bit of an hourglass shape. Because you're a veteran paratrooper you already know what I'm describing is the result of someone having been a "towed jumper". Probably not in the true sense of being towed but their arm was briefly snagged by the static line during opening . . . enough to cause serious injury to the upper arm . . . mangle the muscle but able to heal up and remain on jump status. The scenario is typically the result of the jumper making a mistake at the door . . didn't clear himself from the aircraft and likely got tangled up in one of the static lines ahead of him. Probably all the way down to a deployment bag, the last piece of the static line, which pulls the chute from the pack tray. H-minus!

[@505bondo5]

I'll add one more story to this. Jump in probably late '86. Our battalion XO got sucked under the bird and hit something hard enough to destroy his knee. Thst was the end of that dude's military career. The funny thing was our battalion S-3's driver complained about hitting his head on something after jumping out. The two had exiting the aircraft from opposite doors at the same moment and both got sucked under the aircraft, collided. Kevlar helmet vs. knee at no telling how much force. Anyways, our S-3 got the XO job as a result. His driver got him promoted. A really good officer. Initials were DJB in case any of you remember him. H-minus.

[@z0phi3l]

Was in during the 90's worst I heard of was the young lady who was a towed jumper, they medically retired her One of my buddy's chutes was supposedly packed wrong, but after the investigation turned out the jumper freaked out, counted too fast and pulled his reserve early

[@storbokki371]

@@505bondo5 A towed jumper happens when the parachute doesn't leave the deployment bag, which can result in any number of types of injuries as the jumper gets beat against the plane at the end of the static line. If the jump master can't pull you in, they have to decide if you are conscious enough to deploy your reserve if they cut you lose. Still, more jumpers are probably hurt by landing in trees or smacking into vehicles on the drop zone. Once I was the last jumper in my stick and I exited near the edge of the DZ. There was wind and an updraft that kept me in the air long enough for another C-130 to fly over and drop another stick and some of them were on the ground before me. Drifting backward, I was pulling my two front risers on my T-10 deep and hard trying to come down. It was exhausting, but I missed the trees barely. Most of my injuries were just sprained ankles from rough landings in wind.

[@henrykfu]

Door position or first person as you call it is the best position. You get to see everything and all the rest of the jumpers are behind you so no risk of mid-air collisions.

[@cottonysensation3723]

Dad’s airborne and suffered a midair collision during a training jump, chute didn’t deploy correctly, the cord wrapped around his leg causing a fair bit of damage to his leg. Fortunately the chute was deployed enough that he was able to get down safely though his leg later swelled up to the size of a watermelon. It was not a good time for him, but at least he lived. The other trooper was completely fine, not a scratch. Dad told me about another trooper who was doing the tower drop and got blown into the tower and broke his back. Anyway yeah this stuff has gone through loads of trial and error, but shit still happens.

[@CharlesGibbs-q7q]

I was an 82nd Airborne Infantryman from January 1981 to November 1983 A Co 2/504. Just so you know, the first person out the door is the most relaxed and safest position. Something about staring out the door at the ground/horizon relaxes the mind and as a result you get smaller butterflies and less pucker factor! Also, as long as nobodies shooting at you from the ground, it is by far the safest position to be in because the sky around you isn't full of parachutes. You can easily pull away from the Soldiers jumping behind you. Out of over 30 jumps I only had the honor three times. Once in jump school, once in my unit during a field problem and sort of once off the skid of a Huey helicopter in a weekend fun jump aka the generals jump. Also, if you happen to find yourself standing on someones parachute while floating to the ground, all you do is simply walk off. You don't want to hesitate because your parachute starts to deflate and you could wind up in a real mess. It only happened to me once during a night time mass tactical jump while I was in jump school and I just walked off. It worked perfectly! In my experience, the most danger comes from wind speed. Example, in 1982 I participated in what we eventually called the California death jump. We lost over a dozen Soldiers on that jump because of wind speeds exceeding 25 knots. Some died from their risers choking them to death on the ground and some died by crashing into heavy drop equipment. It's extremely difficult to control a T10 parachute when the winds are unsafely fast and when you hit the ground (PLF) and you're being dragged at over 20 MPH, it's almost impossible to release a riser to deflate the chute unless the wind lets up. Anyway, my experiences were over 40 years ago and "safety" wasn't paramount back then. Losing Soldiers in training was unfortunate, but not as important as it is now. I can't even remember the word "safety" being used and "risk assessments" did not exist.

[@mathbrown9099]

The C-17 is from McChord AFB, south of Tacoma, WA. Which is near where I live and where you grew up. There are two main US Army airborne divisions: 101st and the 82nd. The Air Force and USMC have their own Airborne units. Band of Brothers was about the 101st-Screaming Eagles, Company E. US paratroopers’ chutes have portions of the chutes cutaway for stability and aerodynamics.

[@mtang65]

Imagine if you’re the enemy defender you see 1500 parachutes drifting down from the sky. To make it even worse, they are landing behind your line of defense.

[@PeterSedesse]

The speed we get on the ground is amazing. By the time you would hear the plane, there would already be dozens of guys on the ground.

[@mikebush1046]

I was a C17 Test Jumper when this aircraft was first introduced and spent about 15 years in the 82nd Airborne Division and 28 years in the Army. You can load 100 combat equipped jumpers onto this aircraft. The "Day Sack" between their legs is their pack. They also have an M1950 weapons case under their left arm. That can hold various individual and crew served weapons. They jump at 1000 feet in the C17 and 800 feet in other aircraft like the C130. There are men and women paratroopers in the 82nd since most of the positions in the 82nd require you to be airborne qualified. The Aviation Brigade isn't required. Theres a reserve parachute on the front and they are trained to slip away from each other in the air and what to do if they accidently run into one another.

[@war_danc3r]

I spent 12 yrs in the 82nd Airborne with nearly 2500 jumps before and during my service in the Army. You can bump into others while falling and almost 100% of the time, the parachutes will rub off each other and fall away. If you happen to drop on the top of another troopers chute, they are pretty solidly filled with air and you can literally walk off them - the "Day Sack" as you call is known as a "Ruck Sack" in the US Army. These are the newer versions of the Paratroopers chutes, they have come a long way from the dash-10s we used to jump. They are indeed a lot more stable and dependable "Thanks to the Army/Air Force Riggers" that pack them. Yes, the small bag in front of each troopers rib cage is the reserve chute they would use in the case of an emergency or failed chute deployment. I'm old now and wish I could jump once more to relive that high that you can only get from jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft. I doubt my knees and ankles could take it anymore. 😥

[@DrizzlinSmarts]

Wow! Never thought I would see you do a reaction to one of my jumps. I believe this is the one we had where someone broke their back.

[@PNWeBike]

I was first on one of my jumps, it was amazing and the most memorable of my jumps. Standing in the door, checking for obstructions, the wind pounding your face, it's such a rush.

[@joshescude7160]

A C17 hold 120 paratroopers. The rucksack is in front of the legs. It has a 15 foot line you drop when 200 ft above the ground. The reserve is directly above the rucksack. The weapons case is on the left leg.

[@the3rdfrequency]

My son startedbout in the 82nd All American in Ft. Bragg, NC. Transferred to the 101st Screaming Eagles in Ft. Reynolds, Kentucky.

[@johnbriggs1038]

"If my main don't open wide, I've got a reserve by my side"...or more correctly on my belly. That's where the reserve chute is. I was at Bragg back in the early 90's. Back then, we jumped with T-10C's in airborne school at Benning. They had the opening at the back of the chute and risers to pull on to try to maneuver in the air. Needless to say they were a handful to try to control. Mostly just enough to turn into the wind so you would come down straighter/softer as apposed to traveling 15-20 miles an hour horizontally when when you hit the ground. When I jumped with 3rd SF, we jumped MC1-1B's and MC1-1C's. Those chutes (especially the -1C) gave you way more control with different openings in the chute and toggles to pull to steer. With a -1C, with the right conditions, you could probably do a stand-up landing, not that we were allowed to. You could easily end up with an article 15 if someone caught you doing it. I had a couple landings where I had to do a slow motion PLF because it was such a nice landing. I went out of C-130s, C-141s, and some smaller odd planes. But my favorite jumps were chopper blasts. A Chinook tailgate jump was like a mountain dew commercial. We also slid out the side of a Blackhawk. That was fun because you sat in the door with your legs hanging out. Everytime the chopper banked making a turn to your side, you got a good look at the ground, but centrifugal force held you in. When they were over the drop zone, they tapped you on the shoulder and you flopped out the door. Airborne! Gives me goosebumps thinking about it.

[@Shawn-tt5tb]

Hi, the gear you were referring is simple, the main chute on the back - the Reserve chute worn on the front chest - the Ruck sack is worn at the legs. Obviously hard as shit to walk. The Rifle is packed away in the caring case worn on the left side. If you collide with another jumper you try to turn right to avoid air collision. if you make contact the jumper will work quickly to move out of the other jumpers parachute, the longer your on top the quicker the air of your main chute will be stolen.

[@rhonda8231]

It is 4 am and I have insomnia..... When you were checking out the guys "day sacks". I was positive that you first said that is their "nut sacks". I choked on my water, laughing so hard. I need sleep LOL

[@TheBarbecutioner]

I graduated from Airborne School in 1972, but the process looks the same. The bags in front of their legs are their rucksacks. The gear in front of their stomachs are reserve chutes. You count to three and if you don’t feel the jerk of your chute opening, you pull the handle on the reserve. Some jumpers to land on others’ canopies, but you try to slide off and get away as the bottom chute steals air from the upper one.

[@jameswebb2856]

A look inside a can of whoop ass. That is a rifle. No butterflies, just anticipation of a great jump. On my first jump (at age 17 in 1966) I was the third one out the door of a C-119. The jumpmaster is making sure the static lines do not get tangled. The jump altitude is between 1,000 and 1,250 feet. They do have a reserve chute. I also jumped the C-130 and C-141. It is great fun, you should try it at least once. Great video. In jump school we did five jumps and we did have one malfunction that was handled successfully. I don't remember how we had in the class but it was probably close to two hundred.